Luminaire for elongated tubular lamps



Nov. 17, 1953 G. R. WAKEFIELD LUMINAIRE FORIELONGATED TUBULAR LAMPS Filed March 12, 1947 2 Sheets-Sheet l INVENTOR. GEORGE P. WA lCEF/EL z QMJ Amman/1s Y6.

Nov. 17, 1953 e. P. WAKEFIELD LUMINAIRE FOR ELONGATED TUBULAR LAMPS 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 Filed March 12, 1947 INVENTOR. 650065 2' W4 KEF/EL 0 ATTORNEYS.

Patented Nov. 17, 1953 LUMINAIRE FOR ELONGATED TUBULAR LAMPS George P. Wakefield, Vermilion, Ohio, assignor to The F. W. Wakefield Brass Company, Vermilion, Ohio, a corporation of Ohio Application March 12, 1947, Serial No. 734,043

5 Claims.

. This invention relate to luminaires and .particularly to luminaires to be suspended from ceilings.

It has become a common practise in the illumination field to illuminate rooms by means of elongated luminaires which are sus ended from and extend parallel to the ceiling and for considerable distancesendwise of the luminaires. In manyinstallations, the luminaires are arranged endwiseof each other in broken or unbroken lines, each of which lines is substantially coextensive with the major portion of the length or width of the room. Since the ceiling dimensions vary throughout a wide range, a large number'of selected luminaire must be provided to meet the various conditions. Usually the appearance of luminaires so assembled is notas pleasing as desired due to their jointed appearance when installed, particularly where the ends of adjacentluminaires are abutted. Furthermore, they are difiicult to install in accurate alignment and proper abutting relationship.

Again, the panels used and the manner in which they are connected to the supporting body of the luminaire impose certain difficulties in inelements by which luminaire units of identical :1.

appearance can be assembled and the units, in turn, can be assembled, in situ, into luminaires of substantially any required length with a minimum of basic elements and which, when assembled, provide a luminaire which is free fromthe objectionable jointed appearance of prior luminaires and in which undesirable shadow efiects are reduced to a minimum.

Another object is to provide a split canopy for a luminaire so arranged that it can be installed readily after the luminaire is suspended in situ, so that, during installation, and in subsequent servicing, all parts of the luminaire are readily accessible. v

Another object is to provide an improved means of attaching translucent panels to the luminaire body so that they can be installed readily after the luminaire body is suspended from a ceiling and can readily be removed for repair, replacement with like or different panels, and yet are supported so that undesirable shadow effects are reduced to a minimum.

Another object is to provide an elongated luminaire panel of translucent or transparent plastic materialso reinforced by metal that adequate 2 strength is afforded so that the panel can be sup ported by its end portions without danger of warpage or distortion.

Another object is to provide for accurate alig ment of the luminaire bodies in endwiserelation to each other.

Other objects and advantages will become apparent from the following description of a pre-'- ferred embodiment of the invention illustrated in the drawings, in which: f

Fig. 1 is a side elevation showing a luminaire embodying the principles of the present invention; Fig. 2 is an enlarged cross sectional viewof one of the luminaire sections and canopy illustrated in Fig. 1 and showing the means for connecting it to a ceiling;

Fig. 3 is an end elevation of the split canopy and support;

Fig. 4 is a cross sectional view taken' on line 4-4 of Fig. 3; g a

Figs. 5 and 6 are fragmentary sectional'views taken on lines 5 --5 and 66"'respectiv'ely of Fig.

Figs. '7, 8, 9 and 10 are fragmentary sectional views taken on lines 1-1, 8-8, '9-9, and Ill- 10 ofFig.2; 5 Fig. 11 is a fragmentary perspective view ofa portion of an end plate assemblage and pan'l'o'f the present invention;

Fig. 12 i a sectional view taken on"line' -[2'l"2 ofFig.11; 1 I i Fig. 13 is a fragmentary perspective view'of one ofthe closure plates of the luminaire unit; and I Fig. 14 is a fragmentary perspective view Of'jfii modified form of panel.

Referring to thedrawings, there is illustrated in Fig. 1 an elongated luminaire l embodying the present invention and formed of a plurality of basic elements hereinafter described. f

The luminaire comprises a plurality of elonf, gated units 2 arranged in a row in end toend abutting relation to each other, each unit being supported independently from a ceiling 3 at spaced locations therealong. V

'The luminaire units are preferably identical so that any number'may be-assembled to pro-' vide a luminaire which,'regardless of the numberof units, is uniform in appearance for its entire length, and the basic element's of each unit pro- 'vide for a number of designs to meet the light ing demands of the customer. A Referring next to Fig. 2, one of the units -2- and the basic elements of which it is constructed are illustrated.

The unit 2 comprises a main body or supporting channel 4 which is preferably formed of sheet metal and arranged to be suspended from a supporting means with its base 5 uppermost and horizontal andiits-iflanges 6 generally uprightand in depending-relation to the base, thusproviding a downwardly open body of which the interior is readily accessible. The bottom margins of ther walls or flanges 6 are preferably inturnedito pro.- vide horizontal flanges I.

To secure the base 5 to a support or hanger, the

base 5 is provided with: suitable:v connecting:

means. For purposes of illustration theattach ment means is shown as a number of-shaped' perforations 8 adapted for registry, selectively with threaded perforations in the hangers so as to receive screws 9 upwardly. Thus the-channel 4 may be secured to the hangers from the underside;- .the.-screwssbei-n readily accessible through theopensideotthechannel.

Detachably secured to each. channel: 4: iss a closure. element-I or cover its which preferably is angopen: top channel, of. V-shaped; cross section: At spaced points along its length,.at the upper margin-L one :side,-.are suitable tongues or hooks IA" which. arereceived in correspondingly spaced apertures-z I 2; in tthe-lower margins-of the: walls Usually such tongues andapertures are-required only adja'centitheaendsaof;the cover lit-as the V- shanesseetion provides greatv rigidity for a. given metal thickness. In order to hold the cover: It tightlyiagainstthe channel 14 i at the; points:0f :connection; of; theetongues-r I I, suitable-. res-ts 13 are proyided Vim-thev coyerzadjaeentrthe tongues; The rests preferably are strips of metalbenttoform witht-the: wall-rota the coversaztriangular: frame.-.

The rests I3 are spaced from the tongues; II a distance such that; the; rests lead; to;the tongues into the apertures I2 and engage the;- underside of; the flanges-Ii whemthe; cover; I Brie-installed;

Neanlthenpperrmarginofth Wal1;of the cover; I 0 opposite from the tongues I I are apertureszl' adaptedion registry-with apertures near. the-bottomiedgeof the-wall 6. Securedf in: thersupport= ing channel 4 are snap fastening means;suchiasleaf; springs; I 5 havingdetents; I 6 which, are. receivedithroughgthe, aperturesa I4, folds H inther springs I5 protruding outwardlyrthroughsuitable agerturesdngthewall &for access: by the operator for springing the detents I6 out of engagement; With the cover; L0;

In: most. cases; l0uvers -are; desired fondirectins'; the light downwardly. In such instances, they; may be.;carr-ied .by, the cover IIL so. as; to be; re-

moved readily from the luminaire-unit for'inssta11ing',or -servicing ofltheunitd Inthe form illus tiiatedl a plurality, of louvers I 8 are provided; the lbuvers ,beingspaced. apart flatwisein ,a, direction endwise of the supporting channelALand secured to the cover by suitable tongues I9; whichextend through-slits"in the cover- I0 and are bentover against the' inner-wa1l surface thereof."

In-many instancesit'is desirable to close'the top ofthe unit andyet permit a limited amount of light to reach the-ceiling. For-this purpose, closure: plates-1 2-01 are provided; Each plate 2'0 is secured byzazhinge 21I to'the channel 4 preferablmtmthabasefi;thereof adjacent the side Walls It; The; innerrmargins; 22: of; the plates are turned-1 downwardly: to: formabutments engageable; with the;:Wa11s: 6* to limit the downward swinging movement of:t'he'zplates's 2 B; Each-:plate; sfnlreferably coextensive endwi'se ;with: the: channel 4 and can be swung upwardly to afford ready access to the fluorescent lights and their mountings, later to be described. Rows of slits or perforations 23 are formed in the plates to permit a limited amount of light to strike the ceiling.

Detachably fastened to the respective ends of thepcha-nnel are endzplates25i eacli of which carries suitable sockets=- 26- for fluorescent light bulbs 27. Each end plate 25 has an opening 23 zthrough which electric wires may extend from one, unit to. the, next adjoining unit. The end plates may be secured to the channel 4 through the medium of bridges 29 which are spot welded towtheflangesd andipositioned one at each end of thechanneld; Suitable brackets 30 are secured to the" end plates 25 and to the bridges 29 by screws--31.

The outer edges of the end plates 25 preferably slope outwardly and downwardly, as illustrated, and are curved at their'outer edges so as to conform tcr-thevcontour of theitoutersurfacesaort the panelsto;beaassociatedztherewithz.

Each end plate is provided on its outer lateral edge with: a: retaining: band: 32 which: is; fixedly secured: thereto; Inv the: fDIm'? illustrated; the bands 32.: are of 1 extruded? aluminum; each having aicentral longitudinal rib 33 extending; along and aligned laterally of the: unit: with the associated edge: of; the; plate: 251- Extending in opposite"; direetionsendwiserof the; unityfromzthe central; rib 33E; andiinw ali n ent with each other are-retai ingflanges 3 5., Each rib extendssfronntheetoll of;the ;latera1edge of its associatediendlplate to and-:- beyond the bottom thereof; and isainturned atthe; bottom: edge; of the plateflfi and; then up:- turned; at its innermost; end toufrom a;cradle; 35 for receiving; the: lower ed e; of: a: 11231161.; The flanges; 3d; extendi only; a; short: distance beyflnd thezassociatem emit-plates ens hwiseiofztherumti for-example;- abouti 1; to of: anrcinchi Panels 3:11;substantially;coextensive endwise of; the; unit; With space; between the end plates: are,- providedi andare placed; in positionzbyainsertin v them downwardly; from: the top-of; the: unit. inbackof the flanges 3A=until their-lowen edges restinithe cradle 35: ln orderztohold the panels; 37: detachably in position; resilient: means; such: as G,-springs;. 38, are carriedz by; the unit-. The springs; 3 8 preferably; are connected at one; of: their-ends t0 the;end p1ates;,25, their flpposite;ends curving" pw rdly, and: nward y.- o; as to; form: at their: upperzend as. wide trough: for uiding the panelsjntoplacer The; springs. 33; resiliently" en the panels? near their ends and.press-them-outwardly, tightly: against; the; flanges: 3:4;v They; are preferably.-co--. extensive? endwise F of; the; unit; with their; associ:= ated flanges 34 so as not:tmcasushadowswnrthe; exposed;portion:of;themanelsfl.

Fourqsprings '3 8.- arei providedon each; endpplater 25; the: springs?- 38- being. arranged; in: pairs; one: pair neaneach lateraliedgego'fithe associatedrplatez 2 5'; The springs-of; each pair? are; disposedon; 0p,- posite faces of the associated end plate; 25, and' are; aligned 5 with; eaclr other: endwiserr on the; unit andaligned: with. the; flan es; 3m respectively; transversely.lofatherunit.- All of. these and plate? assemblages; of the; units a are: identical, witheach: other."

When the units are; arranged in: a; row in end; to, end relation, OIIlYrOIlB' endplatep assemblage is; required on a giveniunit;vexceptfortheunits-at the: ends; of; themcw;

Eor example; when ;two units: are abutting, the: end-plate; atlthez abutting ends-iiswonnnon. torthe;

two and the wiring can extend therethrough from one unit to the other. l

In order to close the outer ends of the end units, closurecaps 40 are provided. Thecaps 40 are provided with peripheral fianges 4| which fit against the flanges 34 of the bands 32 and are pressed thereagainst by the springs 38 on the outer end faces of the end plates. The flanges 4| are coextensiva endwise of the unit with the flanges 34 J r The panels 31 preferably are of translucent plastic having the desired surface configuration. In order tostrengthen and reinforce them against warpage and distortion so as to permit their being supported only by their ends even with a span of four to six feet lengthwise of the unit, they have integral bosses, or projections 42 on their inner facesnear the upper and bottom margins. The bosses may be in the form of continuous longitudinal ribs, or a row of longitudinally separated ribs, having enlarged head portions 43 at their inner extremities. Relatively stiff metal channels 44 with marginal flanges 45 are snapped or permanently bent so as to engage the projections 42 tightly beneath the head portions 43 respectively. The channels 44 add great rigidity to the panels and cast a minimum of objectionable shadow.

If desired, panels 46, such'as illustrated in Fig. 14 may be provided. The panels 46 also are of translucent plastic and are provided with a. metal reinforcing frame 41 which embraces the entire margin of the panel. This permits the use of lighter plastic.

Instead of the panels above described, glass panels may be used in which case reinforcing is unnecessary.

In order to support the units from a ceiling, a suitable supporting strap 50 is secured to the ceiling and in turn supports-a U-shaped hanger 5| which depends from the ceiling and has its base adapted to rest on the upper surface of the base 5 of the channel 4. It is provided with screw holes 60 adapted to receive the screws 9 and has downwardly struck metal tongues 6| engageable in corresponding apertures 62 inthe base 5 of the channel 4 for aligning thechannel 4 and the hanger 5| properly.

It is necessary for efficiency in'installation that the strap 50 and hanger 5| and their connections be readily accessible. Also, the'weight of even the elongated channel 4 is cons'iderableand it is difiicult to hold it in alignment and secure it to the hanger unless all connections therebetween arereadily accessible and visible.

At thesame time, customer demands require that the-hanger and connections'be concealed and enclosed laterally when the luminaire is installed.

'Heretofore, canopies have been provided to conceal these parts, the canopy usually being a metal spinning or stamping having a continuous enclosing wall. Accordingly it was necessary to hold the canopy in position on the lumi naire, raise the assemblage into position with the canopy concealing the hanger, and then seek to install the screws or other connectors for securing the luminaire to the hanger while holding the canopy tightly against the ceiling.

To eliminate these difficulties, the hanger 5| is provided with open sides 52 affording light and access to the interior. The strap 50 is first secured to the ceiling or a suitable outlet box. Next, the hanger 5| is secured to the strap. The wiring is readily accessible through the opening 52.

Next, the channel support 4 of a single luminaire unit is connected to thehanger 5|, access to the screw 9 being had through the open bottom of the channel. When the channel 4 is secured to an adequate number of hangers, the next adjacent unit is similarly installed. When the desired number of units have been installed in end to end relation, the wiring and fluorescent bulbs are installed and checked, the wiring being readily accessible through the open channel 4. When all is in working order, the panels 31 are snapped into place, followed by the cover I0 and its louvers I8. Next the end caps 4|] are installed.

Finally, in order to conceal the hanger 5| and strip 50 a split canopy 54 is provided. The canopy 54 comprises a plurality of sections which are assembled by movement laterally toward each other and which, when assembled, form a continuous side wall enclosing the strap 50 and hanger 5| and extending from the ceiling to the bottom wall 5 of the channel 4.

The canopy illustrated comprises two substantially identical half sections of which the side walls are arranged to abut at their upright edges along a vertical median plane extending lengthwise of the luminaire units. One section is provided with a flange 55 along its abutting edge which is adapted to telescope within the other section and underlie and reinforce the margins thereof when the edges are in abutting relation.

The flanges may be provided, near the lower end of the canopy, with depressions to receive ribs 56 pressed inwardly from the metal of the section to be associated therewith. Due tothe stiffness of the metal, the ribs effect snap fasten: ing engagement to hold the sections in assembled relation.

The upper portions of the canopy may be provided with like ribs and depressions but, if so, care. must be exercised in separating the sections in event such becomes necessary later. Instead, screws 51 may be used, the screws passing through the flanges and into suitable screw holes in the strap 50. The heads of the screws overlie adjacent margins of the sections, clamp the flange 55 against the strap 50 and clamp the margin of the, unflanged section against the flange.

}If. desired, to eliminate the necessity of right and left hand canopy sections, only one flange may be provided on a section so that, when duplicate sections are turned end for end and assembled, one flange of each will telescope with an unflanged margin of the other.

Other modes of applying the principle of the invention may be employed, change being made asregards the details described, provided the features stated in any. of the following claims or the equivelent of such be employed.

I therefore particularly point out and distinctly claim as my invention:

1. A luminaire element comprising a horizontally disposed elongated body having vertical end walls, flanges on the end walls, respectively, and aligned endwise of the body with each other and extending generally toward each other and sloping downwardly and outwardly, an elongated panel extending between the end walls and having its end margins in engagement with the inboard faces of the flanges, upwardly open hook means on said body adjacent the ends engaging the lower edge of said panel, and resilient means carried by said end walls detachably engaging the panel adjacent the upper edge and adjacent the ends and yieldably urging the end margins of the aces-gerapanel against the inboardfaces of" the" flanges; each'otsaid meanscomprising a leaf 'sprmg connectedat its lower end in generally upright posi'-- tion to'one of the end walls and having a portion adjacent its upper end sloping, inwardly. of thebody, away from the associated flange and out of engagement with said pane.

2. A luminaire element comprising an elongated-body, an end assemblage at one end thereof andincluding an end wall, duplicate flanges on the saidwall extending in opposite directions from the general plane of the wall and aligned with each other endwise of the body, resilient means carried by the wall'and having portions yieldably urged toward the inboard faces of said duplicate held by the latter against the former when so received, said body having at its other end a duplicate end wall assemblage, and said panel being of a length to extend substantially from one end wall to the other.

3-. A luminaire element comprising an elongated body having end walls, resilient fastening;

means on the end walls, respectively, and aligned with each other endwise of the body, a panel of translucent synthetic plastic material detachably operatively held at its ends by said fastening means, said panel having transverse projections thereon, and metal reinforcing means secured to. said projections and extending lengthwise of the pane substantially to the ends thereof.

4. A luminaire element comprising an elongatedbody, and an assemblage between the ends thereof and including a transversewall, duplicate.

flanges on the said wall extendingin opposite directions from'the general plane of the wall and;

aligned with each other endwise of the body, ,resilient means carried by the wall and having portions yieldably urged toward the inboard faces of said duplicate flanges, respectively, a pair of endwise adjacent panels extending lengthwise of: said body, each of said panels being detachably' receivable at one end between one of said duplicate flanges and its associated resilient means and held by the latter against theformer when so received, said body having at its oppositeends duplicate wall assemblages, and said'panels each being of a length to extend substantially from said first wall to the wall at one end of'said body, and similarly held in place at its other end against the inboard faceof the duplicate flanges of the re:- spective duplicate wall assemblages, and anend cap for each endof said elongated body provided with a flange fitted between the flange and associated resilient means of the respective duplicate wall assemblages and? resiliently engaged? by the latter for frictionally retaining 'each said end cap-at the respective-ends of said' body.-

5. A luminaire element comprising an clon gated-body, andan assemblagebetween the ends: thereof and includinga transverse wall; duplicate" fiangeson the said wall' extending in opposite "di rections' from the-' general plane of thewalland aligned with each other endwise of the body; resilient means carried by the wall and having portions-yieldablyurged toward the inboard-faces of said duplicate flanges, respectively; a pair of endwise adjacent panelseachextending length-- wise of said body,- eachof 'said-panelsbeing'detachably-receivable atone end between one of'said duplicate flanges andits associated resilientmeans and held by the latter against theformer when so received; and hook means rigid'with" said wall and positioned to engage the-lateral edges ofthe panel adjacent the flanges when th'epanelis so held, said body having at itsop posite-ends duplicatewall"assemblages, and said panels each being of alength'toextend substantially'from said first wall to the wall at one end of said 'body and similarly-held in" place against the respective flanges of said'duplicate assemblages by the resilient means and'hook means-oi said duplicate assemblages, and'an end cap ior each 'endof said elongated b'ody'provided with a fiangefitte'd between theflangeand associatedresilient means of the respective duplicate wall assemblagesand resiliently'engaged by the latterfor frictionally retaining eaclrsaid end cap at the respective ends of said body.

GEORGE P. WAKEFIELD.-

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